Velvet Shank
Flammulina velutipes

© Bob Ford/Nature Portfolio     Velvet Shank on tree stump photographed on January 5th 2008

This beautiful fungus is one of the few that appears during the winter months. It prefers to grow on Elm, but at a push will use other deciduous trees. Luckily for us there are dead Elms on either side of Buxton Road bridge, in sections 3 and 4. Supposedly edible but I definitely wouldn't try eating them if I were you as there are some poisonous species that are very similar. Stick to the really tasty ones that can't be confused with anything else. And preferably the ones on sale in Asda.